England will be aiming to secure top spot in their group when they take on Panama on Saturday night.
The Three Lions will need to show clear improvements from their lacklustre draw with Ghana, which served as a reality check following the impressive Croatia win that kickstarted their tournament.
Thomas Tuchel has a number of injury worries ahead of the clash with Reece James’ tournament potentially over unless England make the latter stages in the US. He’s also had to address concerns over Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson.
It has seen the German defend his squad selections, given the fitness issues that James has experienced during his career. Tuchel did confirm that Bukayo Saka is ready to start after coming off the bench in the opening two matches because of a long-term Achilles tendinitis complaint.
England have met Panama at the World Cup previously, that coming eight years ago in Russia. On that occasion Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in 6-1 hammering and the Bayern Munich star will eye a repeat as he seeks to keep himself in the Golden Boot race.
The Three Lions will face Panama at 10pm tonight, with Croatia facing Ghana in the other Group L clash. Stay tuned as Mirror Football keeps you across all the build-up.
New UpdatesView PostView PostToday09:18 BST
Thomas Tuchel has delivered a damning verdict on Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford.
And Tuchel has been just as critical of left-backs Nico O’Reilly and Djed Spence in a sensational blast as he admitted the left wing has “not provided the same quality.”
Tuchel believed he had solved the problem when Gordon shone in the final warm-up friendly with Costa Rica but said there has not been enough “connection and penetration” down that flank in either of their first Group matches.
Three Lions boss Tuchel also made it clear that Marcus Rashford has not delivered when he has started games but also highlighted the full backs being a real issue which explains why O’Reilly was dropped for Spence against Ghana.
(Image: Getty Images)
With several injury issues and plenty of competition for attacking spots, Thomas Tuchel could make a could of changes for the Panama clash, which England would be expected to win regardless of who they put out on the pitch.
England predicted XI: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
John CrossToday08:40 BST
Simply, to win.
If England draw and Ghana or Croatia win, then they would top the group.
If England win, we’re safe as group winners.
Ultimately, anything but a win opens the door for our rivals.
Samuel MeadeToday08:20 BST
Well Reece James is out, Thomas Tuchel has claimed he could still play in the knockouts, but other reports suggest England will need to go deep into the World Cup for him to have any hope of playing.
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson sat out of training on Thursday, but returned on Friday.
Reece James has been dealt another injury setback(Image: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket)
England will be backed by their biggest army of supporters yet in the US as they take on Panama.
More than 10,000 fans will be in the Big Apple with huge numbers flying in from the UK for the group decider. The MetLife Stadium, known as New York/New Jersey for the World Cup, is the biggest venue for a Three Lions game so far. It’s 78,576-capacity means that more than 30,000 fans are likely to be in the white shirts of England.
It could be even higher given the huge number of ex-pats from the US following Harry Kane and his side.
(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Today07:59 BST
England’s World Cup clash with Panama is set to deliver a Super Saturday surge in sales for pubs and shops.
Stores are gearing-up for bumper demand for everything from beer to BBQ essentials – helped by a return to more bearable temperatures as the heatwave ends.
A predicted 13.3 million are set tune into Thomas Tuchel’s team’s final group game, hoping for a win after the draw with Ghana.
The match will deliver a £425million jump in sales in pubs and retailers, the website VoucherCodes.co.uk has estimated. Pubs are preparing to serve an extra 4.5 million pints, despite the match kicking-off at 10pm. The fact it is England’s first group match on a weekend means many fans are expected to start early.
Samuel MeadeToday07:59 BST
We’re back to build-up to tonight’s kick-off as England look to top Group L – with the Three Lions hot favourites!
(Image: Getty Images)